Woche

All of Woche’s jewellery is handmade by designer Clarisse in Antwerp, Belgium. Some steps in the process are executed by specialised workshops nearby, for example for casting the brass bracelets.

You can visit the Woche atelier itself by appointment, so you can be sure that the jewellery is made in good conditions.

The origin of the materials is less clear. Woche purchases the precious metals and components from distributors in France and the Netherlands, but unfortunately it is not clear where their origins lie. The brand also offers designs made from local recycled gold.

To be completely sure of fairly sourced materials, Woche offers you the option to bring your own old gold or silver. Designer Clarisse will then work with you to see how this material can be melted down into a new design!

The brand uses silver, brass and gold. These precious metals retain their value, making them sustainable and easily recyclable. However, we know little about the extraction of the materials and their origin.

For a small brand like Woche, it is very difficult to find out this information, even if the materials are sourced in Europe, there is little transparency about their actual origin.

This is why this Antwerp-based brand additionally works with local recycled gold. The brand purchases this through a company that specialises in melting & purifying old gold in Belgium.

The ​‘confetti’ line also includes synthetic sapphire. These are gemstones that are made in a laboratory, and therefore not mined. Read all about the pros and cons of ​‘lab-grown’ gemstones here.

Finally, the brand also pays attention in its use of packaging to make more sustainable choices. The jewellery is mainly packed in cardboard, as plastic-free as possible. Only the ring pads are made of synthetic materials though, the brand is still looking for more sustainable alternatives for this in the future.

As a jewellery brand, we can assume that all jewellery is circular, given that it is easily recyclable at the end of its life.

Woche offers repairs to maximise the lifespan of their products so that your purchases can shine for a long time, every day. Even jewellery that is not from the Woche collection can be repaired, get in touch to find out what is possible.

Do you have any old gold jewellery of your own that you no longer wear? Designer Clarisse will be happy to look at the possibilities with you to create a new design with it! The creative designer even revealed a hint of a future project in which old silver will also be given a new life!

Based in Belgium, the brand makes the jewellery itself in its Antwerp atelier, with the help of specialised workshops nearby. You can visit the atelier yourself by appointment. Woche also sells its collection mainly in Belgium, which ensures that the jewellery doesn’t travel a long distance to get to you!

However, little information is available on the origin of some of the materials, making it difficult to establish the exact length of the supply chain. Woche sources materials locally in Belgium, the Netherlands and France, but it is not always possible to trace the exact origin.

The brand does not use any animal materials, so it is, in theory, a Vegan brand.

Woche creates jewellery that fits you like a second skin, meant to be worn daily. The jewellery changes with you over time, for instance its patina, colour and shape.

The brand does not follow seasonal trends, but evolves over time, expanding their permanent collection along the way. The organic designs embrace imperfections, both in design, material and technique. Each item is handmade, so you can be sure that your jewellery was brought to life with great care and love!

On their webshop, you will find care tips and products to keep your jewellery in top condition. Moreover, they offer maintenance and repair services for damaged items.

Woche is a very small-scale brand, so transparency can be a challenge! Designer Clarisse sat down with COSH!, so we learned all about the brand, its working methods and materials.

Want to know more about a Woche piece of jewellery? Get in touch or book an appointment on the Woche website, that way you can take a look behind the scenes yourself and learn all about the stunning jewellery!